A pink slip arrived under the name of the Minister of Personnel's residence, but it was a personal invitation from Cheng Jiao Jiao. She did not ask Lu Nian Fu to the Minister's residence, but instead chose the most famous Zui Xiang Lou in the capital. Lu Nian Fu had not seen Cheng Jiao Jiao for a long time. Thinking of that sister who was two years younger than her, she decided to go to the street to pick out a gift for her.
The Cheng family was famously wealthy in Yangzhou, and Cheng Jiao Jiao lacked nothing. Therefore, the gift had to be something interesting and amusing.
There was nothing in the storeroom; she had to go to the market to pick something out.
Qing Miao opened the wardrobe and took out a newly made spring outfit. After holding it up for a while, she reluctantly put it back and changed into a moon-white padded jacket. "What kind of weather is this in the capital? When will spring ever arrive?"
"Hasn't it already arrived!" The ice and snow had melted, and thick cotton clothes and furs were locked away in chests.
Qing Miao said, "This counts as spring? In Yangzhou, we would already be wearing thin shirts by now." She was quite disdainful of the heavy clothing in the capital.
Lu Nian Fu smiled, "You'll get used to it slowly."
"Young lady seems to be adapting quite quickly."
Why wouldn't she adapt quickly? She had lived here for nearly ten years in her previous life. Lu Nian Fu smiled faintly and did not reply.
Qing Miao would not pry into such matters. She helped her change her clothes, a pale purple ruqun worn with a moon-white padded jacket, and then applied light makeup. "Young lady, you're becoming more beautiful with each passing day. I am always stunned when I put makeup on you."
Lu Nian Fu asked in surprise, "When did you become so eloquent?"
Qing Miao was genuinely introverted. Not only was she not as outgoing as Qing Ya, but even Mian Er was more cheerful than her. Lu Nian Fu sometimes worried that she would become stifled by herself.
"I am only speaking the truth. Young lady, with your natural beauty, a light application of makeup makes you look like a celestial being. Once the mourning period ends in May and you adorn yourself with elaborate makeup, wouldn't your husband be utterly captivated by you?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Have you been reading Qing Ya's storybooks lately?"
"No, but she complained to me the other day, saying she's been so busy that she doesn't even have time to read storybooks. And Manager Wang just called her away again."
Lu Nian Fu chuckled, "It seems Manager Wang is teaching her well. When you have time, tell her to read fewer storybooks and focus more on her duties. She's grown up now; why is she still thinking about playing all day?"
Qing Miao pondered for a moment, "Young lady is quite right."
Just as the mistress and servant were about to leave, news arrived from the front courtyard that the Earl of Pingning had come with his wife and daughter, asking her to meet them in the front hall.
Well, then, she couldn't go.
Qing Miao asked in surprise, "Young lady, isn't the capital very particular about etiquette? Why didn't they send a formal invitation beforehand when they came to visit?"
Lu Nian Fu had no idea. "Perhaps they had an urgent matter."
News about her being the long-lost eldest daughter of the Earl of Pingning's mansion was spreading widely. What else could be the reason for their visit at this time? Although she was prepared for a family reunion, she was still quite annoyed at being put on the spot like this.
Forcing down the irritation in her heart, Lu Nian Fu walked towards the front courtyard.
The Earl and Countess of Pingning were conversing with Madam Fang. Zeng Wei Yang sat obediently to the side.
"The eldest daughter-in-law has arrived."
As the maid announced her arrival, all four turned their heads and saw a woman with a face like a painting slowly crossing the threshold. A pale purple ruqun was worn beneath a moon-white padded jacket, with only a few fluttering butterflies embroidered at the hem of the skirt. The attire was extremely simple, yet the wearer's beauty was overwhelming. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her complexion as bright as snow. As her clear, sharp gaze shifted slightly, it seemed to brighten the entire hall.
Zeng Wei Yang's heart tightened, and she clenched her fingers beneath her sleeves.
Every time she saw this elder sister, she felt a pang of inferiority. With her own looks, could she really find a noble connection?
As she was thinking, her "kind and benevolent" father had already stood up, appearing rather flustered. "Xi Xi, your father never intended to force you. It's just that the rumors outside are getting more and more rampant, saying you are unfilial and undutiful. Your father, your father naturally cannot let you suffer such grievances. How do you want to resolve this matter, your father will listen to you."
Lu Nian Fu looked at his demeanor, and her heart softened slightly. This was her biological father. "What does Your Lordship mean?"
"Your father is ashamed. After thinking for so long, I can only think of acknowledging kinship as a solution."
Lu Nian Fu's proposed solution was also this, but she did not miss the sarcasm and helplessness in the eyes of the Countess of Pingning.
Her steps towards acknowledging kinship faltered again. Zeng Wei Yang had already walked over, her eyes tearful and her face full of regret. "Elder sister, it's all my fault. If I hadn't drunk a few more cups, I wouldn't have revealed your identity and caused you so much trouble. But don't worry, even if we acknowledge kinship, I won't presume to be your sister and bother you."
The Earl of Pingning also looked at her with a kindly expression. "Xi Xi, it is your father's fault. I lost you back then, causing you to suffer so much hardship in the outside world. Your father knows you hold resentment, but this matter concerns your reputation, and the words 'unfilial' are too heavy for you to bear. How about this: we will hold a kinship acknowledgment banquet, and you can still live as you did before. If you don't want to come home, you don't have to. Of course, if you do return, the mansion has also prepared a courtyard for you, and your father, your father will also be very happy."